TN 423 

C2 L8 

Copy 1 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

i< 

}pyriglit iS 



Ciiap,...._..., Copyright M,.. 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



New River Mines 



WHERE THEY ARE; 



WHAT THEY ARE. 



HOW TO GET THERE 



MOST ACCESSIBLE ROUTES. 



^ 



Topographical and. Outline Maps, showing relative posi- 
tion of New River City and Surrounding Country, 
and Towns seventy-five miles distant, 
f Mining Districts in Shasta, Trinity 

y ^ and Siskiyou Counties. 



<t(^ 




San Francisco: 
BACON ct COMPANY, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS, 

Corner Clay and Sansome Streets. 
1885. 






Copyright by F. H. LORING. 



Nkw Rivkr Minb^, 

TRINITY COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. 



New River City. 
The object of this little work is to treat of the New 
River Mines in a manner to do justice to all concerned. 
The present status of this place is as yet somewhat 
anomalous, being situated in Trinity County, princi- 
pally prospected, so far, by Humboldt County men 
and capita!, and by natural location belonging to Sis- 
kiyou County. To explain the statements above made 
by facts and figures will be our object, and at the 
eame time present the claims of New River Mining 
District to a place among the great gold-producing 
centers of the immediate future. In order to give the 
reader an accurate idea of the location of these mines, 
and a chance to judge of the claim made that these 
mines are the nucleus of a richer mining district within 
a given circumference, radiating from this as a center, 



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I CO 



^^ 



V\ 



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.jOi' 












MAP No. 2 






1. 


New Elver City. 


12. 


Yocumville. 


2. 


Areata. 


13. 


Forks of Salmon. 


3. 


Eureka. 


14. 


Weaverville. 


4. 


Cecilville. 


15. 


Trinity Center. 


5. 


Callahan Ranch. 


16. 


Tower House. 


6. 


Edsons, Shasta Valley. 


17. 


French Gulch. 


7. 


Yreka. 


18. 


Lewiston. 


8. 


Etna. 


19. 


Deadwood Mines, 


9. 


Eort Jones. 


20. 


Redding. 


10. 


Sawyer's Bar. 


21. 


Delta. 


11. 


Black Bear. 







than can be found in any other circle of like size on 
the Pacific Coast at the present time, we present 
Map No. 1 in justification of the assertion. The ac- 
companying illustration represents a circle one hundred 
and fifty miles in diameter, drawn from this city as a 
center. It embraces the famous Yreka Flats, the 
Klamath River on the north, the Trinity and its'tribu- 
taries, from its mouth, around by Weaverville with its 
wealth of gravel mines, across and including Dead wood, 
French Gulch, Trinity Centre ; circling north, all of 
Scott and Salmon Eivers and their tributaries are in- 
cluded. A careful revision of the mines included in 
this circle will show the richest, best, and most con- 
stantly paying placers and quartz mines of the State, 
both in the past and present. As will be seen by con- 
sulting the map. New River City is in the center of a 
country that has been comparatively unknown within 
twenty-five miles in either direction. New River itself 
is a tributary of Trinity River ; rising on the west side 
of the mountains over the divide from Salmon River 
and its tributaries, it flows — including branches and 
tributaries — southwest a distance of about forty miles, 
joining its waters with the Trinity about 50 miles 
below Hay Fork, or 35 miles below Weaverville. 
Ascending New River twenty miles from its mouth we 
reach Francis, at the point of junction of the north fork 



and east fork of New River. It is the Post Office for 
miners at New Kiver City, eighteen miles distant. It 
is of the north fork that we at present write. It has 
been a matter of fact since the early '50's that the 
gravel mines of New River and its tributaries have 
been of the richest description. The men who braved 
the height of the mountains, or the swiftness of the 
streams, were met by the hostile Indians ; and the ex- 
treme danger, as well as expense, of getting supplies, 
up to 1861, had kept the miners out. About '61 so 
great a rush of men was made to Pony Creek, whose 
rich placers had created so much excitement, that it 
was a source of mutual protection to the many drawn 
together, and it was then easy to get. provisions at rea- 
sonable rates. For the next three years mining was 
extensively carried on in this and other portions of the 
river. It was during this excitement that '' Lake City " 
was in full blast, and at one time claimed a population 
of over four hundred within its limits. The mines be- 
ing heavy to work with the then known appliances of 
mining, and other mining excitements springing up, 
supplemented by the Indian outbreak of 1864, Lake 
City, as well as many other promising mining camps 
of that period, in Trinity and what was then known as 
Klamath County, became a thing of the past. Many 
of the miners of those days drifted down to the river 



bottom lands, found some congenial partner of the na- 
tive race, selected some fruitful patch of land at the 
mouth of one of the numerous tributaries of the main 
New River or Trinity, and decided that it was easier 
to make a livino; out of the soil than to roll bior boul- 
ders. Thus the present generation of miners going to 
the New River Mines will find the avenues of approach 
from the south and west sides mostly guarded by fam- 
ilies whose parents are a mixture of races, aboriginal 
and Caucasian. 

Since the decline of Pony Creek Mines, placer min 
ing on other portions of the river steadily advanced, 
and today may be seen extensive gravel mines fitted 
up with the modern appliances ; and for the last three 
years the name of New River Mines has oft been men- , 
tioned in the mining news of the coast. Until within 
the last three years quartz mines were not mentioned 
in the New River watershed. Fifteen to thirty miles 
on the northwest, in the Salmon River section, quartz 
mining and prospecting had been going on for many 
years. Fortunes had been made in successful strikes, 
and many fortunes lost in mismanaged and unsuccess- 
ful strikes. 

It was from these last causes Mr. Oliver Clement 
was induced to try the New River side. Mr. Clement 
is the first successful prospector and miner in the dig- 



8 

trict, and it is clue to his perseverance and success that 
New River City has a place today. Mr. Clement is a 
young man of geniixl nature, and he has always been 
termed a lucky miner, having made several strikes on 
the Salmon side when his fellew miners would pass by 
the same ground. His first profitable strike in quartz 
was in the Mountain Boomer Mine, where a vein of 
free gold quartz was found ; and at this point, in the 
summer of 1884, two partners were admitted to an 
equal interest in the mines, and an arastra of small ca- 
pacity was erected, and to this writing has paid over 
three thousand dollars per month, or ten thousand dol- 
lars in all. 

The discoveries made from time to time, while Cle- 
ment & Co. were prospecting and erecting the arastra 
on the Mountain Boomer, made such an impression on 
many Humboldt men of means and leisure, that 
many men were sent into the district to prospect on 
shares, and many others went on their own account. 
The location of the district, as far as now known, extends 
from Slide Creek, the Mountain Boomer being on the east 
side of Slide Creek, northwest to the head waters of 
Eagle Creek, a distance of about six miles, and from 
the divide, between the Salmon River and New River 
tributaries, extends west about six miles, thus embrac 
xng a portion of Trinity County adjoining the County 







MAP No. 3. 

1. Moiiiitain Boomer Mine. 

2. Mary Blaine Mine. 

3. Hardtack Mine. 

4. Ridgewav Mine. 

5. Bolles Mine. 

6. New River City. 

7. White Rock City. 



10 



of Siskiyou. By referring to the map, it will be seen 
that Pony, Slide, Eagle and Battle Creeks are on the 
east side of the north fork of New River, and all of 
them extend east, up to the divide separating them 
from Salmon River, and which forms the boundary 
line between Siskiyou and Trinity Counties. On the 
Salmon side, parallel creeks are Cecil, St. Clair, 
Plummer, Methodist and Know Nothing Creeks, all of 
which have proved very rich In placer mines. 

Having finally located the New River Quartz dis- 
trict between Pony Creek on the southeast, Eagle 
Creek on the northwest, Salmon River Divide on 
the northeast, and north fork of New River on the 
southwest, we find about thirty-six square miles of 
territory. New River City Is a fine location on a flat 
near the principal mines on Slide Creek, about sixteen 
miles from Francis P. O., situated at junction of north 
fork and east fork of New River. A town site has 
been laid out by U. S. Surveyor, and patent applied 
for, and lots are now for disposal by the New River 
Mining and Development Co. In the territory above 
mentioned, over one hundred locations have been 
made during the past season, all of which claim to 
have assays ranging from two hundred dollars per ton 
up. 

From the recent discovery of most of the ledges, 



11 

very little development has been made, and lateness of 
the season has prevented many improvements already 
projected. Fifty buildings of all descriptions have 
been erected for mining and residence purposes. White 
Rock is the name of the first location made for town 
purposes, and boasts of two stores, hotels and saloons. 
White Rock is situated about two miles northwest of 
New River City, in close proximity to several very 
promising quartz locations, among which are the Bolles 
& Co. ledge and mill, the Dean & Co. ledge, and oth- 
ers. 

Among the improvements already made is a stamp 
mill and saw mill run by steam, for the use of the 
Mary Blaine and White Elephant locations. The 
Hard Tack Mines, owned by Clement & Ladd, have a 
fine new arastra, run by a large, overshot wheel, and 
with room on shaft for belt for running another arastra, 
or stamp mill, for purpose of crushing ore, of which 
they now have in sight one hundred tons that will no 
doubt pay two hundred and fifty dollars per ton. At 
the mine they have entrance covered, and a large 
building for work and for holding ore erected. On 
same ledge adjoining is the Ridgeway location, where 
full preparation is made for taking ore out early in 
spring, to be worked in their eight-stamp mill now on 
the way. 



12 

Numerous saw mills are on the way or projected. 
The country is well timbered with pine, fir and cedar 
timber, good to saw or split. Water is abundant for 
all necessary purposes. Most of the lumber used so 
far is whip-sawed, at six dollars per hundred feet; 
shakes split out at eight dollars per thousand ; plenty 
of small timber for building purposes. Elevation rang- 
es from 3,500 feet at New River City to 5,400 feet at 
the Mary Blaine Mine, which is the highest elevation 
of any of the mines, and nearly at the top of Salmon 
River divide. Up to Dec. 1st no frost has appeared 
in the central portions of the district, although at Mary 
Blaine and low down on the river frost has made an 
appearance. The climate is delightful — air dry and 
bracing, tempered by the fragrant spruce and pines. 
The water is pure, and the streams and springs are 
never dry. Snow is said to lie about four feet deep in 
winter, and melts off quite early in April, so as to ad- 
mit of prospecting. Still, on the divides on all sides 
the snow is often impassable until May. About one 
hundred men are here for the winter, over one hun- 
dred having left because of the inability of parties to 
get in enough supplies. The knowledge of this fact 
has done more to repress information being given to 
the public than any other cause. 

It was known early in September that it was^impos- 



13 

siblc to get enough supplies into camp, before heavy 
snows, to last those throu2:h the winter that would like 
to remain. All the pack trains of Humboldt, Trinity, 
and Siskiyou Counties were engaged ahead, with their 
regular packing ; and, although offered from one to 
two hundred per cent, advance on usual price of pack- 
ing to this point, only a limited amount has been ob- 
tained at these figures. Therefore those acquainted 
with the situation have discourao-ed all new comers as 
far as they could, as all such helped to diminish the 
supplies of food and forage on hand and to come. It 
will not be advisable for parties to come here before 
the 1st of June and depend upon finding supplies, as 
they cannot be packed in here much before that time, 
and the camp will be destitute of supplies by early 
spring. 

As will be seen by the following price list, supplies 
of some staples are short : Flour, per hundred pounds, 
eight and nine dollars; hay, feed of six pounds, fifty 
cents ; oats, feed of six pounds, fifty cents ; bacon, 
ham, and lard, per pound, twenty-three cents ; pota- 
toes, apples, and onions, per pound, eight cents ; but- 
ter, per pound, thirty-five cents ; cheese, per pound, 
twenty-five cents ; fresh beef, per pound, ten cents ; 
fresh mutton, per pound, ten cents ; board and lodg- 
ing, per day, one dollar and fifty cents. Mining com- 



14 

panics liave been paying twenty-five dollars per month, 
per man, for board for their entire number of men. 

The price of living at this point is as cheap, all 
things considered from a natural basis, as at most of 
our older towns or mining camps. 

The scarcity of transportation this fall has doubled 
tlie usual cost of hay, grain, flour and vegetables, but 
upon the opening of the trails in the spring, competi- 
tion will be the order of the day among the packers, 
as their busy season does not commence until fall, and 
trains will be comparatively idle through spring and 
summer. 

So far, our acquaintances and connections have been 
mostly from Humboldt County. Our beef, pork, but- 
ter, beans and potatoes come from Humboldt County 
and Lower Trinity River, making a much needed out- 
let for these places, heretofore remote from a paying 
market. 

The cost of freight from San Francisco to Eureka, 
or Areata, is from two dollars and fifty cents lo five 
dollars per ton, and time from three to six days. From 
Eureka or Areata here the time is for freio:ht about 
eight days, or fourteen days for round trip of pack 
train. Lowest cost of freight in summer is four cents 
per pound. This fall, the price has been five to five 
and one half cents per pound. Our Trinity County 



15 

source of supplies so far has been from Willow Creek 
and a number of farms on Lower Trinity, who have 
furnished us sonie vegetables, fruit, beef and pork ; 
and although we are comparatively near to Weavef- 
ville, the county seat, no available route for supplies 
has so far been used. 

Our next base of supplies is Scott Valley, in Siski- 
you County ; Callahan Ranch, distant forty-three miles, 
and Etna, distant fifty-two miles, being the two avail- 
able points of supplies. At these points we get hay, 
grain, fruit, vegetables, flour, beef and pork, and all 
farm supplies at farm cost. 

The basis price in summer for transportation from 
these points to this place is two cents per pound, and 
time for round trip is seven days, thus saving in cost 
and time one-half over the route to Humboldt Bay. 

With this camp, as it is everywhere, the almighty 
dollar is to decide all questions of expense, profit, and 
routes of ingress and egress to the future Virginia City 
of California. The place is now like the helpless in- 
fant, and its steps are directed by its fosters ; and as it 
gets able to assert its own force, it will take the best 
and most natural one for its sustenance. It is hard to 
find a location with more natural barriers to access 
to or from its sources of supplies. East, west, north 
and south are high mountains and swift streams, and 



16 

expensive means of transportation ; but the coming 
summer will teach us the most available route, by stim- 
ulating the authorities of the surrounding counties to 
efforts to secure some of the business that is sure to 
come. 

So far, nothing has been said of the quality of the 
ore found in this district, the nature of the formation 
of the mineral-bearing lodes, or the extent of the de- 
posits. It is not the intention of this writing to state 
something that is not known, and in this new camp 
no new developments have yet been made that will 
warrant any specific analysis of the formation to be giv- 
en. In the first mine worked we find free gold, easily 
saved after being ground out in an arastra. Quartz is v 
decomposed in a granite and limestone formation. 

In other mines showing free gold and assaying high 
we find the vein of decomposed ore in porphyry and 
limestone formation ; other places serpentine and lime- 
stone on either side of rich ore, and another location Is 
ribbon quartz in slate and serpentine. Some ore with 
silver indications has been found. Sulphuret ore has 
as yet not been found in extensive deposits. One lo- 
cation has been made on ore rich in copper. 

Out of the one hundred or more locations already 
made, we find at least six mines in which sufficient 
developments have been made to entitle the owners to 



17 

feel they have a fortune in sight. One mine upon 
which a five stamp mill is erected is selling at the rate 
of fifty thousand dollars, and another one which has one 
hundred tons of rich ore on the dump, and no very ex- 
pensive improvements ujDon it, would be considered 
cheap at sixty thousand dollars. 

This is emphatically a poor miners' camp, as in all 
the ledo-es found the o-old is free from the surface 
down, and can be made to pay wages with a hand 
mortar ; but so many of the men here are backed by 
capital, it is not necessary for them to wait the tedious 
process of a hand mortar ; but as soon as they can 
show a reasonable prospect, ample means are at hand 
to help them to develope their find, wages paid. 

The rate of wages paid is in proportion to the kind 
of work done. A few cooks are hired at one dollar 
per day. The highest wages paid for drifters to date 
is two dollars per day. Carpenters for rough work 
get the same price. Mechanics for building arastras 
and erecting water wheels and stamp mills, from three 
to four dollars per day. 

As in all new camps, most of the workmen are on 
the prospect, and as soon as they get through with a 
job of work the money received for it is spent pros- 
pecting ; and if nothing is found, they are ready for 
more work by which to make another raise. 



18 

The Chinaman, to date, has not made his appear- 
ance in the district, and it is the determination of the 
white settlers and prosj)ectors to keep John out. When 
asked the reason for it, one of the owners of a rich 
dump replied: '' You see that pile of ore there? Yes ; 
well, if the Chinese were here they would have a for- 
tune in rich rock packed off before spring." 

Looking at the question in this light, the answer was 
a good one and correct. Not long after, meeting an 
old Chinaman, he was asked if he knew where New 
River was. '' Oh, yes, me sabe New River. Twenty 
years ago plenty Chinamen work in New River, eighty- 
five miles from Weaver. Me pack two mules, sell car- 
go to Chinamen. Injun man he killum my two Chi- 
namen ; me put one down in ground, pack one man, 
go back Weaver. Loseum cargo^ — me lose two, three 
thousand dollars. Allee Chinamen lun away. In 
July, Augusty, Injun man he kill my two Chinamen, 
and at Cox's Bar he kill four Chinamen. Me sabe big 
Injun ; he got two squaw. White man Jim, he kill 
him, and pretty soon white man killed Jim. Me sabe 
— he got Injun woman, plenty of little boy, little girl. 
One place three man work up mountains ; not much 
water; very good pay, I think. Oh, yes, me heap 
sabe New River. Too much Injun man, no good." A 
good illustration of the reputation the district has en- 
joyed for the past twenty years. 



19 

While it is not necessary to inform an old miner 
what he will need to possess himself of, after his ar- 
rival here, to make himself independent in the way of 
board and lodging, and to prosecute his work of de- 
veloping the mineral wealth of the camp, for the ben- 
efit of those who may make this their initiatory trip to 
the mines, we will suggest as necessary articles in the 
bill of fare and cooking utensils : One sack flour, one 
frying-pan, tin plates, tin cup, sheet iron pan for wash 
basin, mixing bread in, and prospecting or panning out 
rock in, one eight-quart iron camp kettle, knife, fork, 
and spoons, side of bacon, beans, salt, pepper, tea, 
sugar, coffee, baking-powder, dried fruit, matches, 
axe, pick, and shovel — these all to cost about twenty- 
five dollars. A tree, brush house, or canvas tent are 
the most available shelters for frequent change. With 
the above outfit a man can o-et alono; from three to fif- 
teen days, according to distance from his base of sup- 
plies ; and if he finds something to justify him to add 
more to his stock of provisions, by reason of more time 
necessary to develop it, cheese, condensed milk, but- 
ter, vegetables, and fresh meat are among the obtaina- 
ble articles in a miners' store. 

How to get there. There are numerous routes by 
which this place can be reached. The Humboldt and 
lower Trinity County travel will come by way of Mad 



20 

River, Hoopa Valley and Trinity Eiver to Thomas 
Place, at Francis ; thence by good trail to New Eiver 
City. Time from Areata by saddle horse or mule is 
four days, and good stopping places are along the route 
at convenient distances for refreshment and entertain- 
ment of man and beast. 

Persons travelling through this section can figure on 
an expense of about three and one-half dollars per day 
for self and animal. The trip is very enjoyable to one 
used to saddle exercise, as the rider passes fine farms 
and orchards, crosses svs^ift streams, and surmounts steep 
mountain trails and high and narrow^ grades around 
precipitous points of rock. 

The Humboldt people are mailing real effort to con- 
trol the trade of this section, by liberal gifts of money 
for extending a w^agon road, and improving trails in 
this direction. For travel outside of the Humboldt 
route, we vv^ill name Number Two, or direct route from 
San Francisco or Sacramento, take the Cal. and O. E, 
E. to Eedding ; thence by stage forty-eight miles to 
Weaverville, the county seat of Trinity County. Wea- 
verville is at present the center of quite an extensive 
quartz industry. 

The gravel mines of Weaver Basin have long been 
of the best and regular paying class. The formation 
of its surrounding hills and from discoveries already 



21 

made entitle it to be, as it always has been, one of 
the richest and prettiest mountain towns in the State. 

The quartz interest of Weaverville has been steadily 
o-rovvino: for the hist five years. Its citizens have 
been enterprising prospectors, and many of them have 
been rewarded by rich finds in the Deadwood, North 
and East Forks of Trinity Mines. 

The newcomer is warmly welcomed, and he is made 
to feel that the residents of Weaverville are as hospit- 
able as they are enterprisino-. Time from Redding to 
Weaverville is about ten hours. Fare from San Fran- 
cisco to Weaverville, $16.50. 

From Weaverville, by inquiry of the livery stable 
keeper, a horse or mule can be obtained for the trip to 
New River. The hire will be about two dollars per 
day for the animal for the trip. By wagon road to 
North Fork, where is a good hotel, the distance is fif- 
teen miles ; from this point to Rattlesnake by good 
trail it is twenty miles ; thence by trail to Grizzly eight 
miles; from Grizzly to head of Pony and Slide Creeks, 
or the New River Mining District, it is about sixteen 
miles — a total of about sixty miles from Weaverville. 

No trail is as yet constructed over this last portion 
of the route, but by early summer no doubt a good 
trail will be in condition for travel, and the distance 
reduced by several miles. Travel has already passed 



22 

over the whole route above mentioned to New River, 
and to one acquainted, or with a guide, no trouble is 
found in making the trip, and arriving at New River 
City the second day from Weaverville. 

While making this trip from Weaver the traveler 
will pass through one of the most important quartz 
sections ' of Trinity County, known as the Enterprise 
District. It is a link in the long chain of quartz crop- 
pings and mines extending from Salmon River Mines 
on the north, through New River, to Deadwood, French 
Gulch, and other Shasta County Mines on the south, 
a distance in a direct line from north to south of about 
one hundred miles. 

The East Fork of the North Fork of Trinity already 
show good mines, and good prospects on Grizzly are 
found, and Rattlesnake will be one of the next impor- 
tant quartz districts. The next important route from 
Redding to New River is by stage to Trinity Center, 
distance fifty-one miles, thence by way of Coffee Creek 
trail to Summerville, thirty-two miles distant, thence 
down the south fork of Salmon River twelve miles to 
Cecilville, thence by trail from Cecilville seventeen 
miles to New River ; total distance from Trinity Cen- 
ter to New River, sixty-one miles. 

By the Trinity Center route we pass well developed 
and paying mines at French Gulch, and gravel mines 



23 

at Trinity Center, also on Coffee Creek ; and on Coffee 
Creek quartz discoveries have been made the past 
year that indicate paying ledges, arrangements having 
been made for their development in the spring. 

In the vicinity of Summerville we find a quartz 
ledge already worked on a small scale, and one of the 
best fields for prospectors for quartz. At this point is 
an extensive gravel mine, the situation of w^hich for 
advantageous w^orking is perfect. Plenty of fall for 
and exclusive v^ater rights, a large deposit of paying 
gravel, combined with favorable facilities for lumber 
and procuring supplies, make this a model mine, and 
one of sure remuneration for all work done. The lo- 
cation is among the grand snowy peaks of the Salmon 
range, and the privilege of being in constant view 
of such gems of nature is a recompense for isolation 
from the outside world. 

From this mine at the head of the South Fork of the 
Salmon to Cecilville is ten miles, and there are many 
good indications of quartz ; and one location with flat- 
tering prospects is now being developed two miles 
from Cecilville. There are parties here who have oth- 
er ledges to prospect in the spring. Many old placer 
miners in this section (Salmon) have found gold-bear- 
ing ledges near at hand, in years gone by ; but as they 
were engaged in placer mining, and not knowing any- 



24 

thing about quartz mining, never made any attempt to 
prospect them. 

Since the New River discoveries many old finds are 
being uncovered, and a new lease of life seems to have 
taken hold of the old miners in the prospect of finding 
something rich in quartz in the spring. 

Another practicable route to the New Eiver Mines 
is by way of Redding terminus and stage eighty miles 
to Callahan Ranch ; thence by wagon road five miles, 
and trail five miles to the summit of the Salmon di- 
vide ; thence down the East Fork of South Fork of 
the Salmon River eighteen miles to Cecilville ; thence 
seventeen miles to New River — a distance from Calla- 
han Ranch of forty-five miles by a good trail, the por- 
tion to Cecilville having been traveled over twenty 
years. Time in summer from Redding to Callahan's 
is sixteen hours, and the distance to New River has 
been traveled on horseback in thirteen hours, or one 
day's ride. 

This route enables parties wishing to communicate 
with San Francisco to go from here to Callahan's in 
one day, and send by telegraph and receive an answer 
the same day, there being a telegraph office at Calla- 
han's; also Wells, Fargo & Co. 's Express and Post 
Office. The trip by this route can be made from San 
Francisco in three days. When the California and 



26 

Oregon Railroad is extended through from Delta, Ed- 
son's Station, fifty-five miles north of Delta, will be 
the distributing point for the southern end of Scott 
Valley, and will be seventy-three miles distant from 
New River. The route, then, from this place will be 
thirteen hours by horseback to Callahan Ranch ; thence 
five hours to Edson's, and by rail to San Francisco, 
making it possible to travel the entire distance to San 
Francisco in two days and one night. 

Ten miles from Callahan Ranch, southwest, is the 
summit of the Salmon range between Salmon River 
and Scott Valley. Seven thousand feet high at this 
point, we leave the trail to New River, and turning to 
the right we follow the divide, and in a distance of ten 
miles we reach the Uncle Sam Quartz Mill and Mine. 
A short distance further, and almost adjoining, is the 
Klamath Mine and Mill. About four miles further 
is the Black Bear Mine and Mill. Five miles north- 
west of Black Bear Mine is the great mining town of 
Sawyer's Bar. 

Returning to the summit, we travel on down the 
east fork of the Salmon to Six Mile Creek, and on the 
route down portions of the side hills are covered with 
float quartz. Eleven miles from the summit we reach 
two extensive gravel mines fitted up with little giants 
and large pipe, and worked by the hydraulic process. 



26 

The East Fork forms a junction with the South Fork 
three miles from these mines, and three miles further, 
on the east bank of the South Fork, is Cecilville, dis- 
tant twenty-eight miles from Callahan Ranch. At 
Cecilville is a Post Office, store, and hotel. A mail 
comes once a week from Trinity Centre : also from 
Yocumville, fourteen miles further down the river. 

This is our stopping place for the first night from 
Callahan's, if you are too tired to ride through. From 
Cecilville to New River, distant seventeen miles, the 
time is six hours. We ride down the east side of the 
south fork of Salmon River two miles, and cross to the 
trail, which winds up the face of a steep hill ; and 
when on top of the ridge, some of the finest views of 
Salmon River scenery are to be had. This ridge lies 
between St. Clair and Plummer Creeks, and is about 
five miles long, and so narrow one can look down into 
either creek while riding along. 

This was a favorite route for the Indian travel in 
their trips from Salmon to Trinity and New River ; the 
high trail enabled them to see up and down the Salmon 
for miles, and the unsuspecting enemy was exposed to 
their strategy and cunning. In this country we are in- 
debted in a great measure to the knowledge of the In- 
dians for the routes of travel throuo-h these mountains 
— for the easiest trails that we at present travel, as the 



27 

white man lias succeeded tlie red man as a traveller 
of the steep and rocky. 

A strlkino; feature in the formation of this lono; rido-e 
is a large quartz lode that is visible its entire length, 
and in places where parties have prospected they 
claim to have found free gold. If such is the case, it 
will be a profitable ledge to work, as from the narrow- 
ness of the ridge it seems like a ledge set up on edge 
entirely out of ground. Ascending this ridge, we reach 
thefirst summit, which is calledLimestone Peaks, asingu- 
lar formation of marble limestone, rearing its long line 
of snowy summits to a height of over six thousand feet ; 
and some of them are partially covered by evergreen 
shrubbery. A person is reminded of the many mounds 
and marble shafts of Greenwood Cemetery or Lone 
Mountain. Over the summit we descend to Plummer 
Creek, " and find the first drop of water since we left 
Salmon River, ten miles," and then make the ascent to 
summit of New River water-shed, about six thousand 
feet high at this place. A short distance over this di-' 
vide we pass some wild and rocky points, and come 
into view of the first proof of the New Eiver Mines, 
the works and dwelling belonging to the Mary Blaine 
Mine. Another route from Scott Valley is by way of 
Etna, "twelve miles northwest of Callahan Ranch." 
To Sawyer's Bar it is twenty -five miles; thence five miles 



28 

to Black Bear ; thence down Black Bear Creek to Yo- 
cumville, on south fork of Salmon, seven miles ; thence 
by Methodist Creek up to divide at head of Eagle 
Creek, ten miles; thence to New River City, six miles, 
a distance of fifty-three miles. By this route the trav- 
eller can see some of the best gravel mines of the north 
fork of Salmon, also pass by the famous quartz mines 
and mills of the Salmon : the Uncle Sam, Klamath 
and Black Bear, all of which are well developed, and 
permanent and paying mines. 

The gravel mines of the Salmon are immense de- 
posits of heavy wash gravel, and are lasting and profit- 
able. To the lover of natural scenery, this is one of 
the grandest and most impressive portions of the 
State, and where pleasui'e and profit can be combined. 
While there are other routes than these mentioned by 
which this place can be reached, they are local ones, 
and cannot be used to advantage over the ones already 
mentioned. 

ROUTE FROM HUMBOLDT BAY. 

By Boat from Eureka to Areata, and Cars to Mad 

River 24 miles 

Mad Rivar to Lupton's 14 '^ 

Lupton's to Berry's, north side of Redwood Creek 4 *^ 

Redwood to Willow Creek. 14 '^ 



29 



Willow Creek over Happy Camp Mountain to Thomas's 
Place 20 miles 

Willow Creek to Thomas's Place, by way of Hawkins's 

Bar 16 '' 

Thomas's Place to Mines 25 ^' 

Hawkins's Bar to Thomas's 14 *' 

Total 115 '' 

Time, four days ; meals en route 50 cents ; horse feed, 25 cents. 



WEAYERYILLE POUTE. 

Weaverville by road to North Fork 15 miles 

North Fork by trail to Rattlesnake 20 '' 

Rattlesnake to Grizzly 8 /* 

Grizzly to New Piver , 17 * ^ 

Total 60 '' 

Time, two days ; meals, 50 cents ; horse feed, 50 cents for 
hay, 50 cents for grain. 



TRINITY CENTER ROUTE. 

* 
Trinity Center to Carville 4 miles 

By trail, Carville to Nash Mines, Coffee Creek 16 '' 

Nash Mines to Somerville, on South Fork of Salmon 

River 16 " 

Somerville to Cecilville 8 *' 

Cecilville to New River 17 '^ 

Total 61 '' 

Time, two days ; meals, 50 cents ; feed for horses. 50 cents 
for hay, and 50 cents for grain. 



30 



ROUTE FROM CALLAHAN RANCH. 

Yia South Fork of Scott River to summit of Salmon 

Divide 10 miles 

Divide to Cecil ville, '^ by way of East Fork of Salmon 
and Brownsville " 18 '^ 

Cecilville to New River 17 '' 

Total 45 " 

Time, one day ; meals, 50 cents ; hay and grain, 50 cents per 
feed. 

First class. Rail and Stage fare from San Francisco to Red- 
ding $ 9.05 

To Callahan Ranch 10.75 $19.80 

Railroad ($9.05) and Stage ($7.25) from San Francisco to 

Weaver 16.30 

Railroad ($9.05) and Stage ($7. 50) from San Francisco to 

Trinity Center 16.55 

San Francisco by steamer to Eureka, first-class. . .$12.00 
Eureka to Mines 15.00 27.00 

If people wish to travel second class by these routes, 
and walk from terminus of stage and steamboat travel, 
they can make the trip for nearly one-half the rates 
mentioned ; but as twenty-dollar pieces are not lying on 
top of the ground at New River, waiting to be picked 
up, we would advise all who wish to make the trip to 
be sure and have coin enough to pay your way until 



31 

you leave the camp, or find work or a paying mine. 
The old style of staking the honest ininer has been out 
of fashion in all new camps for some time. 

While this camp is yet new and undeveloped, and 
very little gold has been sent to mint from the quartz 
mines — a little less than (^lOjOOO) ten thousand 
dollars having been sent — the preparations already 
made to work the ore in sight almost warrant us in 
estimating the yield from four mines, within six months, 
at seventy-five thousand dollars. The universal opin- 
ion of men and mining experts, who have been here, 
and given much time to examination of the district, is 
that while developments already made will not war- 
rant them to declare an opinion favorable to the great 
depth and permanence of the veins, they are well 
pleased with the outlook for the richness and perma- 
nence of the camp, and all express a desire to come 
back in the spring, or soon as weather can be depend- , 
ed upon for out-door life. 

For placer mining there is, no doubt, an opening in 
the tributaries of the north f(»rk of New River, and the 
coming summer will see a revolution in the mining 
interest of this section. The title to all land other 
than the mineral portion is still vested in the U. S. 
Government, as we are outside of the range of the 
railroad grants. In fact, the whole country here for 



32 

scores of miles is in its natural state, unappropriated 
and unknown. The coming tide of gold-seekers will 
develop its resources, and settle the present questions 
of difficulty of ingress, and means of access to the 
depots of supplies. 



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New River Mines. 

WHERE THEY ARE; 

WHAT THEY ARE. 

HOW XO GET THERE 

BY 

MOST ACCESSIBLE ROUTES. 



Topographical and Outline Maps, showing relative posi- 
tion of New River Ci'y and. Surrounding Country, 
and Towns seventy-five miles distant, 
Mining Districts in Shasta, Trinity 
and Siskiyou Counties. 



in- 



San Francisco: 

BACOX A COMPANY, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS 

Corner Clay and Sansome Streets. 

1885. 



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